Obituaries and Death Notices

Information about current and former Wayne County, Indiana residents and community members who have died. These obituaries are gathered from area funeral homes and other sources.

Helen Welcker Spoon Helen Welcker Spoon lived a beautiful life, enriching the souls of many with her generous compassion, wisdom, unique gifts, and warm smile. After 88 inspiring years, she beamed her last smile on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Winchester Gardens in Maplewood, NJ. She leaves behind many adoring friends, family, and acquaintances whose lives were enhanced […] — (Posted June 1, 2022)

Walter E. Jackson Walter E. Jackson, age 82, of West College Corner, Indiana died Friday, May 27, 2022 at home surrounded by his family. Walter was born July 20, 1939 to Sam and Callie Melton Jackson in Bristol, Tennessee. He married the former Barbara Paxton on September 23, 1961 at the Presbyterian Church in College Corner, Ohio. In […] — (Posted June 1, 2022)

Beverly Helms Beverly Helms, age 65, passed away at Reid Health on May 27, 2022. She was born September 19, 1956, the daughter of Melvin Lackey and Verna Tanner, in Anderson, Indiana. She leaves to cherish her memory, her son: Travis Helms; and a host of family and friends. She is preceded in death by her mother, […] — (Posted June 1, 2022)

Bertha L. Bell Bertha L. Bell, age 96, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, May 29, 2022, at Forest Park Health Campus. Born April 24, 1926, in Boston, Indiana, to John and Osie Houser Turner, Bertie was a life-long resident of Richmond. She was a graduate of Richmond High School and worked as a clerk at Knollenberg’s and Sargent’s […] — (Posted June 1, 2022)

Ralph Edward Pierce Ralph Edward Pierce, age 88, of Centerville went to be with the Lord on Wednesday May 25, 2022, at Reid Hospital. He was born in Richmond, Indiana to Elmer and Ethel Goodwin Pierce on July 3, 1933, and had lived in the area most of his life. Ralph was a veteran of the US Army. […] — (Posted May 30, 2022)

Eva Janet Whitney Eva Janet Whitney, 86, of Richmond, died unexpectedly on May 26, 2022, at Reid Health. She was born on August 6, 1935, in Baltimore, Maryland to Henry and Eva Elick Grewe. She worked at American Towel and Linen for 28 years and was a former member of Central United Methodist Church. She enjoyed being with […] — (Posted May 30, 2022)

Kenneth A. Appleby Kenneth A. Appleby, 78, of New Castle, passed away Saturday, May 28, 2022 at his home following a brief illness. He was born June 26, 1943 in Albany, Kentucky, a son of the late John Sherman and Georgia (Guthrie) Appleby. Kenneth retired from Chrysler Corporation in New Castle following 30 years of service. He was […] — (Posted May 30, 2022)

James L. “Jim” Caldwell James L. “Jim” Caldwell, age 87, passed away on Friday morning, May 27, 2022, surrounded by his family. Jim was born in Connersville on September 30, 1934, the son of the late Frank and Wilma Geise Caldwell. He graduated from Connersville High School in 1953. After graduating, he joined the United States Marine Corp where […] — (Posted May 29, 2022)

Paul E. Hill II Paul E. Hill II, 56, of Connersville, passed away Thursday, May 26, 2022 at Indiana University Health. In failing health, he had been living with his parents for the last four years. He was born June 16, 1965 in Connersville to Paul E. and Doris Boils Hill, and he attended Connersville High School. A veteran, […] — (Posted May 29, 2022)

Ruby L. Curtis Ruby L. Curtis, 92, of Richmond, died May 27, 2022, at Golden Living Center Richmond. She was born on April 12, 1930, and was a homemaker. She is survived by four children Barbara Hopkins, Carol Baumer, Dorothy Solmos, and Fred Curtis, eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, two sisters, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded […] — (Posted May 29, 2022)

Mary Jane “Janie” Robinson Mary Jane “Janie” Robinson, age 73, of Centerville, Indiana, died Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at Reid Health. Born April 14, 1949, in Richmond, Indiana, to Robert and Dorothy Tuttle Schlotterbeck, Janie lived the majority of her life in Centerville. She was a 1967 graduate of Centerville High School. Janie enjoyed watching nature outside of her […] — (Posted May 29, 2022)

Iva Jean Keal Iva Jean Keal, age 97, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Forest Park Health Campus. Born March 7, 1925, in Marion County, Indiana, to Paul and Lela Bowen Stephen, Jean moved to Richmond in 1958. She was a loving wife, great mother, grandmother, and aunt. Iva Jean was the owner and operator […] — (Posted May 29, 2022)

Gary Howard Gary Howard, age 59, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, May 23, 2022, at home. Born March 15, 1963, in Richmond, Indiana, to Harold R. and Rebecca Ross Howard, Gary was a life-long resident of this area. He was a graduate of Centerville High School and retired from Ernst Concrete. He enjoyed Nascar and motorcycles. Survivors […] — (Posted May 29, 2022)

Doris I. (Bane) Beckley Doris I. (Bane) Beckley, age 85, of Lynn, Indiana, died Friday, May 27, 2022, at Reid Health. Born April 23, 1937, in Wayne County, Indiana, to Harry S. and May Tillson Bane, Doris was a life-long resident of this area. On February 18, 1967, she married Eugene Beckley and they had recently celebrated 55 years […] — (Posted May 29, 2022)

Mary Lee McCurdy Mary Lee McCurdy, 86, of Richmond, died May 25, 2022, at Ambassador Healthcare after an extended illness. She was born June 23, 1935, in Omar, West Virginia to Russell and Dama Sexton Purvis and lived here since 1956. She worked as a Professional Secretary formerly working at the Atlas Underwear Company, AVCO, and retired from […] — (Posted May 27, 2022)

Stanley R. Kidwell Stanley R. Kidwell, 57, of Richmond, passed away May 25, 2022, after a short illness. He was born October 24, 1964, in Richmond to Stanley R. and Ruth Jean Hurst Kidwell and lived here most of his life. He worked as a journeyman sheet metal for Union Local #24. He is survived by his two […] — (Posted May 27, 2022)

Trent Allen Walter Trent Allen Walter, age 29, passed away at his residence on May 25, 2022. He was born August 23, 1992, the son of David Walter and Joy Grey, in Richmond, Indiana. Trent was a resident of Wayne County; and also known as “Boo” to his loved ones. He completed 11th grade and then started a family. […] — (Posted May 27, 2022)

Howard Robert “Bob” Jones, Jr. Howard Robert “Bob” Jones, Jr. 71, of Spiceland passed away Thursday, May 26, 2022 at his residence. He was born November 8, 1950 in Henry County, Indiana, a son of the late Howard R. and Henrietta C. (Henry) Jones. He taught at Carthage and Knightstown for ten years, from 1975-1985. While teaching he was Vice […] — (Posted May 27, 2022)

Jay W. Brown Jay W. Brown, age 71, passed away at Ascension St. Vincent Randolph on May 26, 2022. He was born September 16, 1950, the son of Glenn Brown and Velma Bailey Brown, in Richmond, Indiana. Jay was a resident of Richmond, Indiana, and a graduate of Richmond High School. He was a member of St. Andrew’s […] — (Posted May 26, 2022)

Mary Rose Sexton Mary Rose Sexton, 86, of New Castle, IN passed away Thursday May 19, 2022, at Henry Community Health. She was born July 23, 1935, in Clinton, TN., to the late Wiley and Lutricia (Holloway) Wright. Mary married the love of her life, Audney Sexton and spent over 40 years of marriage together until his passing. […] — (Posted May 26, 2022)

Wilbur Dale Fowler Wilbur Dale Fowler left this world to go home, Tuesday May 24, 2022. He was a resident of Ferron, Utah, with his wife Janice Rae Haws. Where they enjoyed hosting family reunions, horses, and an occasional scout camp. Wilbur is a native of Indiana where he was born on March 24, 1941. His father Simon […] — (Posted May 26, 2022)

Barbara Elaine Denniston Barbara Elaine Denniston, 69, of Anderson, Indiana, passed away on Tuesday (May 24, 2022) at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was born on August 3, 1952, in Dover, Ohio, daughter of the late Gloria (Schrader) Funk and Wilford Funk. Barb married Michael Alan Denniston on June 22, 1974, and they enjoyed 39 years […] — (Posted May 26, 2022)

Lawrence (Larry) Bottoms Lawrence (Larry) Bottoms, age 71, died at his home in Orwell, OH on April 27, 2022. He was the son of Clayton and Virginia Whirley (Culbertson) born September 30, 1950, in New Paris, OH. Larry was married to his wife Peggy Bottoms on July 26, 1974, and they have lived in Orwell for the last […] — (Posted May 26, 2022)

Christine (Gray) Mills Christine (Gray) Mills, age 89, passed away on Monday May 23, 2022 at Reid Health. She was born in McKee, Kentucky on June 17, 1932 to Lerman and Dema Wright Gray. Christine came from a large family and had taken care of herself since she was 15 years old. On October 12, 1957, she married […] — (Posted May 26, 2022)

Mary A. Gabbard Mary A. Gabbard, 93, of Connersville, passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Aspen Place in Greensburg, Indiana where she had been a resident for two months. She was born July 11, 1928 in Metamora, Indiana, one of nine children of Leander and Emma Bunch Carey. On August 17, 1973, she was married in Laurel […] — (Posted May 26, 2022)

Freddie J. Isaacs Freddie J. Isaacs, age 63, passed away at Reid Health on May 18, 2022, following a battle with lung cancer. He was born August 4, 1958, the son of Virgil and Anna Isaacs, in Richmond, Indiana. He leaves to cherish his memory, his daughters: Trish Isaacs and Candace Isaacs; grandchildren: Tyshon McDowell, Jahvon McDowell and […] — (Posted May 26, 2022)

Brian L. Rhodus Brian L. Rhodus, 61, of Richmond, died Saturday, May 21, 2022, at Reid Health. He was born in New Castle on January 20, 1961 to Jerry and Betty (Bunch) Rhodus. He was a member of Hagerstown First United Methodist Church and had served with the U.S. Navy and the National Guard. Survivors include his mother, […] — (Posted May 24, 2022)

Beverly Ann Coyle Beverly Ann Coyle, 57, of Centerville, died may 23, 2022 at Auburn Village in Auburn after an extended illness. She was born October 12, 1964 in Richmond to Dewain and Barbara Hayhurst hall and lived in the Richmond area all her life. She formerly worked as a C.N.A.. she enjoyed crafting and decorating for the […] — (Posted May 24, 2022)

Carl H. Pfeiffer Carl H. Pfeiffer, 86, of Elwood, IN, formerly of Lynn, IN, passed away Thursday evening, May 19, 2022, at Elwood Healthcare of Elwood, IN. He was born August 24, 1935 in Warren County, Ohio, the son of Carl and Elizabeth H. (Joerger) Pfeiffer. He was a 1953 graduate of Wayne Township School in Butler County, […] — (Posted May 24, 2022)

Patti Baumer Patti Baumer, 77, of Losantville, passed away peacefully with her family surrounding her on Sunday, May 22, at Reid Health, where she was lovingly cared for by the nurses and staff on 5 East. She was born Patricia Ann Brooks in Wayne County, Indiana on October 16, 1944 to Albert J. and Jessie Marker Brooks. […] — (Posted May 24, 2022)